Genzyme, Isis announce study results for mipomersen

By Alaric DeArment

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Biotech company Genzyme and Isis Pharmaceuticals have finished late-stage clinical trials of a cholesterol-lowering drug, the two companies said.

Genzyme and Isis announced results of two phase 3 studies of the drug mipomersen in patients who have high cholesterol levels while taking high doses of cholesterol-lowering medications. The studies were conducted in North America, Europe and South Africa.

In one study of patients with severe hypercholesterolemia, mipomersen reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol by 36%, compared with 13% among those taking placebo; in the other study of patients with high cholesterol at high risk of cardiovascular disease, the drug reduced LDL cholesterol by 37%, compared with 5% among those taking placebo.